Sound-box.



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SUNll BOX. (Application led Feb. 19, 1901A ymun i1 i l IINTTTE STATns aTeNT rtree.

WARREN B. OIITTEN, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

sonno-sox- SPEGIFCATION forming part Gif Letter .Pattt N0., 677,690, dated July 2, i901.

Application filed February I9, 1901. Serial Noi 48,005. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, VARREN B. OUTTEN, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at the city of St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Sound-Boxes, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specication, in which--` Figure 1 is an enlarged vertical sectional View through my improved sound-box. Fig. 2 is a partial plan view. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail View in sect-ion, illustrating the inanner of securing the diaphragme together; and Fig. 4 is a view illustratinf.;` the manner of removing the diaphragm-ring.

This invention relates to a new and useful improvement in sound-boxes designed particularly, though not exclusively, for use in connection with gramophones or other sound recording and reproducing machines.

The objects of the present invention are to produce a sound-box having a clear and' distinct tone of great Volume and also to arrange the transmitting-diaphragm on a removable ring, whereby different diaphragms having different properties or characteristics may be employed in connection with the same sound-box to bring out more clearly and distinctly certain sounds to be tra1ismitted,Which sounds might otherwise belost.

With these objects in view the invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts, all as will hereinafter be described, and afterward pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, l indicates lthe sound-box, consisting of a tube 2 and a flanged headplate 3.

4 indicates the diaphragm-ring, having a projecting flange 'for supporting the diaphragm, said ring having its rear face beveled or otherwise shaped, so as to seat itself properly in the recessed face ot" t-he headplate 8.

6 indicates the diaphragm as an entirety, whose edges are preferably secured in position under the ring 4 in some suitable manner--such, for instance, as by the use of an adhesive substance or a string.

7 indicates the needle-post, mounted on the edge ofthe head-plate 3, and S the arm, which extends over and bears upon the center of the diaphragm, thereby holding the detachable diaphragn'i-ring in its seat in the headplate.

10 indicates the needle..

The ring 4 and its lcarried diaphragm are removably mounted in the recess in the headplate, and when in position the needle-arm is placed under tension by being sprung outwardly slightly, and this contact has been found sufficient to accurately transmit the sound-waves in the form of Vibrations either from the sound-box to the needle, as in recording, or from the record, through the n-eedle and its arm, to the diaphragm, as in reproducing. Of course the diaphragm is also vunder tension when the needle-arm bears thereagainst, and this tension being` opposed Vto the spring of the needle-arm establishes a normal position of equilibrium, rendering both the arm and diaphragm exceedingly sensitive to vibration both in recordation and reproduction of sound-waves. It is obvious that this tension must be sufiicient to keep the parts in constant contact and at the same time permit them to vibrate and accurately transmit all the sound-waves. I thus dispense with the necessity of attaching the needlearm to the diaphragm and am enabled to remove and insert the diaphragms at will, depending vupon the qualifications of the various diaphragms employed and the quality of soundV to be recorded or reproduced.

I have herein referred to the diaphragm in the singular, but will state that said diaphragm is built up of anumber of layers attached together at their edges, while a centrai portion ot' each layer is unattached.

Depending upon the kind of sound to be transmitted, the layers of gold-beaters skin, silk, or other suitable material (preferably flexible) are saturated with a liquid chlorid or other solution best adapted to develop the particular sound intended to be transmitted, and while in a wet condition Iselect the lrst layer and stretch it tightly over the ring 4, securing its edges firmly in position. Refer- IOO ring to Fig. 3, l1 indicates the first layer. I now place a disk, preferably circular, (not shown,) in the center of the layer and coat the marginal edge of the layer with a selfhardening substance l2-as, for instance, oil of resin- When this dries, I apply a coating of adhesive substance 13, remove the centrally-located dislgand in the space formerly occupied by the disk introduce a non-congealable and non-volatile liquid 14, said liquid being preferably albolin. The next layer l5 in a wet or moist condition is now stretched in position tightly and its edges secured in place, the adhesive substance forming a bond between the two layers, while there is a central chamber between said layers lled with liquid. This second layer is now treated in the manner above described-that is, the selfhardening substance is applied around the edge, the adhesive substance spread thereover, the non-congealable liquid placed in the central space, and the third layer stretched in position, this procedure being followed as each layer is applied, with the exception of the last or uppermost. The number of layers thus arranged on the ring may vary according to the conditions to be met. I have found that iive or six are best suited for general use. The top layer is coated with some self-hardeningsubstance-such as oil ofresin, shellac, &c.-and a metallic disk I6 attached thereto, said disk being preferably circular and of greater diameter than the spaces containing the liquid.

A diaphragm constructed as above has the advantage of being a composite structure capable of being enlarged or diminished with regard to the number of layers used, in addition to which layers of different material may be employed in the same diaphragm and each layer treated to diiferent baths for the pur pose of developing certain tones. The marginal attachment of the layers when the liquid vehicle of the bond volatilizes serves to draw the central unattached portion more taut, the strain being uniform and in an outward direction from all points. The liquid iilling between these taut unattached areas serves as a positive and direct transmitting medium. It is extremely sensitive to all vibrations and readilylends itself to the movement of the several layers of the diaphragm, so that when sound-waves are transmitted therethrough the original purity of tone is preserved to a greater extent than is usual with the types of devices of this character in common use. Furthermore, the vibrations are concentrated in a restricted area, so that they are intensilied to a degree, which is very desirable.

I am aware that minor changes in the arrangement, construction, and combination of the several parts of my device can be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without in the least departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l; The combination with a sound-box, of an overhanging needle-bar, a support therefor, a removable diaphragm-ring, a diaphragm stretched over said ring, and a metallic disk on the diaphragm for engaging the overhanging end of the needle-bar; substantially as described.

2. A composite diaphragm composed of a number of layers, attached together throughout, except at about the centers thereof; substantially as described.

3. A diaphragm-ring in combination with a diaphragm composed of a number of layers stretched over the ring and secured together except at about the centers thereof; substantially as described.

4. A diaphragm composed of a number of layers secured together except at about the centers thereof, and liquid. between the unattached portions; substantially as described.

5. A diaphragm composed of a number of layers having a self-hardening bond between their margins, said bond spacing the layers and forming inclosed chambers; substantially as described.

6. A diaphragm composed of a number of 9 layers having a self-hardening bond between their margins, said bond spacing the layers and forming inclosed chambers, and liquid in said'chambers; substantially as described.

7.,In combination with a ring, of a diaphragin composed of a number of layers stretched thereover, a bond between the margins of the layers for spacing the same and forming inclosed chambers, liquid in said chambers, and a metallic disk on the outermost layer whose edges overlap the innerper imeter of the bond between the layers; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses, this 16th day of February, 1901.

VARREN B. OUTTEN.

Vit-nesses:

WM. II. SCOTT, GEORGE BAKEWELL.

IOO 

